John Harris, "The Capture of Constantinople by Crusaders, 1204"
The Primary source discussed the business proposal between the Crusaders and the Venetians and the money in which the Crusaders owed to them. Many historians were aware of the crusaders and their mission to capture Constantinople. Once the deal was set up the Crusaders didn’t use the help in its entirety however, the Venetians still wanted to be paid back in full just as they were promised. Overall, the Crusaders went about things the wrong way in terms of their conquest for Constantinople because in the end they had a rough time repaying the Venetians for their services.
The primary source stated, “While the pilgrims were staying on the island of St. Nicholas the Doge of Venice and the Venetians went to speak to them and demanded the pay for the navy which had been prepared. And the doge said to them that they had acted wrongly in commanding through their messengers that vessels should be prepared for 4,000 knights and their equipment, and for 1000,000 foot-soldiers. Of these 4,000 knights, there were not more than 1,000 present, for the others had gone to other ports. And of these 100,000 foot-soldiers there were not more than 50,000 or 60,000. "Nevertheless," said the doge, "we want you to pay us the sum which you promised. This quote showed that there was obvious some strife with the agreement between the Crusaders and the Venetians. This also related to historians theory of how the crusades were largely related to commerce.
In conclusion it is evident that the Fourth Crusade was a fight for the holy city and the capture of Constantinople. Victory was so important that the crusaders eventually needed help or assistance from outside sources. The Venetians helped the crusaders but at certain costs and under certain conditions. This led to the issue of how the crusaders were going to pay the Venetians back in full. The crusaders arranged certain way to pay the Venetians back but even then they still owed them.
The Source “Robert De Clairi: The Capture of Constantinople” took place on the Island St. Nicholas. The story begun when the Doge of Venice and the Venetians approached the Crusaders and demanded pay from the navy they had prepared for them. When the Crusaders could not pay their debt, the Doge presented a proposal which left both the Venetians and Crusaders content. That example of compromising to benefit everyone that is involved could be an early root of socialism. Socialism is the theory advocating ownership and control of the capital, land, and means of production to the community as a whole. (dictionary.com)
The Venetians gathered up 1,000 Knights and 60,000 foot soldiers all armed and equipped for the crusaders to cross the sea in. The Crusaders were poor, so they agreed to pay 4 marks for each horse that were to be used by the knights. After they paid that amount, an amount of 50,000 still remained. When the Doge learned of that debt he stated: “my men and I want you to pay us the money which you owe us. If you do not pay us, you shall not leave this island before we get our money; and no one shall bring you anything to eat or drink.” (paragraph 1, section one). This quote demonstrates an early sign of socialism because the power was no longer in the form of a hierarchy, the Venetians had depended on the crusaders to reimburse their resources.
The crusaders added more debt to themselves by borrowing money from anyone they believed had the resources at the time and paid the Venetians, however they still owed 36,000 marks. At this point the doge knew that the Crusaders had no way of paying their debt and stated “Sirs, if we let these people go back to their own country we shall always be considered base and tricky. Let us go to them and say that, if they are willing to pay us 36,000 marks which they owe us out of their part of their part of the first conquests which we make, we will carry them across the sea.”(Paragraph 4 section 1) This quote proved that despite being in debt to the Venetians, the Crusaders as a people were in control because they got the Venetians to do what they wanted.
In conclusion, even when they had a chance to deprive a nation of their needs, they chose to do what was best for them. It could have been worse for the crusaders if they did not have a merciful that approached them.
The primary source stated, “While the pilgrims were staying on the island of St. Nicholas the Doge of Venice and the Venetians went to speak to them and demanded the pay for the navy which had been prepared. And the doge said to them that they had acted wrongly in commanding through their messengers that vessels should be prepared for 4,000 knights and their equipment, and for 1000,000 foot-soldiers. Of these 4,000 knights, there were not more than 1,000 present, for the others had gone to other ports. And of these 100,000 foot-soldiers there were not more than 50,000 or 60,000. "Nevertheless," said the doge, "we want you to pay us the sum which you promised. This quote showed that there was obvious some strife with the agreement between the Crusaders and the Venetians. This also related to historians theory of how the crusades were largely related to commerce.
In conclusion it is evident that the Fourth Crusade was a fight for the holy city and the capture of Constantinople. Victory was so important that the crusaders eventually needed help or assistance from outside sources. The Venetians helped the crusaders but at certain costs and under certain conditions. This led to the issue of how the crusaders were going to pay the Venetians back in full. The crusaders arranged certain way to pay the Venetians back but even then they still owed them.
The Source “Robert De Clairi: The Capture of Constantinople” took place on the Island St. Nicholas. The story begun when the Doge of Venice and the Venetians approached the Crusaders and demanded pay from the navy they had prepared for them. When the Crusaders could not pay their debt, the Doge presented a proposal which left both the Venetians and Crusaders content. That example of compromising to benefit everyone that is involved could be an early root of socialism. Socialism is the theory advocating ownership and control of the capital, land, and means of production to the community as a whole. (dictionary.com)
The Venetians gathered up 1,000 Knights and 60,000 foot soldiers all armed and equipped for the crusaders to cross the sea in. The Crusaders were poor, so they agreed to pay 4 marks for each horse that were to be used by the knights. After they paid that amount, an amount of 50,000 still remained. When the Doge learned of that debt he stated: “my men and I want you to pay us the money which you owe us. If you do not pay us, you shall not leave this island before we get our money; and no one shall bring you anything to eat or drink.” (paragraph 1, section one). This quote demonstrates an early sign of socialism because the power was no longer in the form of a hierarchy, the Venetians had depended on the crusaders to reimburse their resources.
The crusaders added more debt to themselves by borrowing money from anyone they believed had the resources at the time and paid the Venetians, however they still owed 36,000 marks. At this point the doge knew that the Crusaders had no way of paying their debt and stated “Sirs, if we let these people go back to their own country we shall always be considered base and tricky. Let us go to them and say that, if they are willing to pay us 36,000 marks which they owe us out of their part of their part of the first conquests which we make, we will carry them across the sea.”(Paragraph 4 section 1) This quote proved that despite being in debt to the Venetians, the Crusaders as a people were in control because they got the Venetians to do what they wanted.
In conclusion, even when they had a chance to deprive a nation of their needs, they chose to do what was best for them. It could have been worse for the crusaders if they did not have a merciful that approached them.
Authors:
Dymond Hartley
Arthur Henderson
Sources:
http://legacy.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/clari1.asp